Self-awareness is an important trait. I believe it is especially important for consultants.
For each of us, there is some gap between reality and what we perceive. I believe one measure of humility (or pride) is this self-awareness delta. I also believe we can narrow this gap by engaging in exercises in intentional awareness. Which exercises? ...

Part 1
I grew up poor – the US version of poor. We never missed a meal but a few times it was only because we had a successful hunt. Suffice it to say that when we interacted with others, they always had more than us. More stuff, nicer houses and cars and toys. We weren’t unhappy kids – my brothers and I – but we were unable to do some things we ...

Or SSIS 2012? SSRS 2012? SSAS 2012? There’s no substitute for getting your hands on the product, in my opinion.
I can hear you thinking, “But Andy, I can’t afford to purchase a copy of SQL Server 2012.” Are you sure? What if I told you that you can get a full-feature version of SQL Server 2012 Enterprise Edition for $50? Well, you cannot… it’s ...